July 2005 [Volume 4, Issue 7]

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In this issue of To Your Health:

• Electroacupuncture Effective in Treating Auditory Disorder
• Herb of the Month: Quisqualis (shi jun zi)
• Acupuncture Q & A: This Month's Highlights from the "Ask an Acupuncturist" Forum

Auditory hallucinosis is a condition that often occurs in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and some psychiatric diseases. Patients with auditory hallucinosis hear sounds (sometimes musical in nature) without any accompanying stimulus - in other words, without any nearby person or object that would be responsible for creating those sounds. While many patients who have auditory hallucinosis are prescribed different drugs to treat the disorder, many of these drugs produce unwanted side-effects, and none of them are considered completely effective in ameliorating the condition.

In this study, scientists examined 60 patients who had been diagnosed with auditory hallucinosis and randomized them into two groups. The control group received Risperdal, an antipsychotic medication, once per day for one month. The treatment group received electroacupuncture, with needles inserted at the points er men, ting gong, ting hui, and yi feng, and electrical stimulation applied to er men, ting gong and ting hui. Auxiliary points were selected depending on each patient's individual diagnosis.

Patients receiving electroacupuncture experienced a greater benefit from treatment compared to those receiving Risperdal. In the electroacupuncture group, the effectiveness rate of treatment was 96.7 percent, with 80 percent of patients reporting that they were cured. In the Risperdal group, the overall effectiveness rate was 73.3 percent; 56.6 percent of the patients stated that they had been cured. The authors concluded that electroacupuncture provides "a satisfactory therapeutic effect," and suggested that it could be used extensively in the clinical treatment of auditory hallucinosis.

Also known as the Rangoon creeper, quisqualis is a type of climbing vine. The name "quisqualis" comes from the Latin words for "who" and "what kind," which indicate that there was originally some question as to whether the plant was a vine or shrub. It can reach a height of 30 feet, and grows throughout the tropical regions of the world. The plant's seeds are used in herbal preparations, and are harvested after its fruit is picked and dried in the sun.

In traditional Chinese medicine, quisqualis has sweet and warm properties, and is associated with the Spleen and Stomach meridians. Its main functions are to kill parasites, strengthen the spleen, and dissolve accumulations in the body. Quisqualis is used to treat roundworms and abdominal distention, and to improve one's appetite.

The typical dosage of quisqualis is between 4.5 and 12 grams, boiled in water and drunk as a decoction. In addition to seeds, some shops also sell quisqualis infusions, decoctions and powders.

Prolonged use of large doses may lead to a variety of unwanted conditions, including dizziness and vomiting. However, as of this writing, there are no known drug interactions associated with quisqualis. As always, make sure to consult with a licensed health care provider before taking quisqualis or any other herbal remedy or dietary supplement.

To learn more about the benefits of herbal medicine, visit www.acupuncturetoday.com/herbcentral.

Acupuncture Q & A: This Month's Highlights from the "Ask an Acupuncturist" Forum

The "Ask an Acupuncturist" forum provides a place for interested parties to ask questions about acupuncture and Oriental medicine and have them answered by a licensed acupuncturist. This month's questions:

Question #1: I believe I have a pinched nerve in my right hip area. Actually, it feels like it's around the groin area. I haven't had the money to go to the doctor to see what it really is, but I do know it's very painful. Would acupuncture relieve the pain and weakness that it's causing? I've lost a lot of strength and flexibility in my hips because of it.

Answer: Yes. Acupuncture treatment is not free either, but it is less expensive than conventional medicine. For your individual symptoms, you need an examination for a proper evaluation. Many similar cases are helped in 10 treatments or less. Acupuncturists in many states in the U.S. are licensed to diagnose you as effectively as an MD.

Question #2: Is it possible to use moxibustion to generate nerve healing?

Answer: Yes. Moxibustion is a Chinese medicine technique that is used to treat the symptoms caused by injuries to nerves. It must be used appropriately, and will not be correct for all cases of nerve injury.

Have a question about acupuncture and Oriental medicine? Visit AcupunctureToday.com's "Ask an Acupuncturist" forum at www.acupuncturetoday.com/ask.

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